Design as a Therapy

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As a designer, it is important to consider the needs of the end-user when creating a space. While researching for a project at STA, I came across the concept of Multi-Sensory Environments in a center for the visually impaired. This piqued my interest, and I decided to delve deeper into the topic to better understand how these environments can be optimized for individuals with a range of challenges.

Through my research, I discovered that Multi-Sensory Environments can be customized to meet the specific needs of each individual, taking into account factors such as their age, abilities, and interests by incorporating elements such as light, sound, touch, and smell, etc.

One of the examples of the Multi-Sensory Environments:

SNOEZELEN is a Dutch design therapy that was developed in the 1970s by two Dutch therapists. It is a combination of two Dutch words, “snuffelen” and “doezelen,” which mean “to seek and explore” and “to relax,” respectively. SNOEZELEN is a non-directive therapy, meaning that it is controlled by the client and not by the therapist. It can be staged to provide a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds, and textures to the specific needs of the client at the time of use. SNOEZELEN can aid learning/development, help to relax an agitated person, or stimulate and raise alertness levels of someone who has sensory processing disorders. It is helping to improve the quality of thousands of people around the world.^[1]

Introduction to Snoezelen Video ^[2]

This therapy consists of environments designed to create a calming and soothing atmosphere for various psychological and physiological conditions, such as autism and dementia. The therapy involves the use of various sensory stimuli, such as light, sound, scent, and texture, to create an immersive experience that can have a positive impact on the person’s mood, behavior, and overall well-being. The design of such environments is crucial in addressing the specific needs of each individual and ensuring that they feel comfortable and safe. Moreover, the impact of such design goes beyond the therapeutic benefits and contributes to the larger design community, highlighting the importance of creating spaces that have a positive effect on people’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Environment in a Home^[3]

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The most commonly recognized senses are Vision (Visual); Touch (Tactile); Smell (Olfactory); Hearing (Auditory); and Taste (Gustatory)

The goals of the sensory therapy are unique to everyone needs created to provide a balanced sensory life. The two more less known senses that are focused on this therapy:

Vestibular Sense provides us with knowledge about head movement, gravity, and balance in our existence. Even when our eyes are closed, whether we are standing still or moving, vertically or horizontally, and the direction and pace of our movement.

Proprioception Sense processes information from muscles, joints, and other body parts to provide an unconscious awareness of the position of body parts in relation to each other and their relation to other people and objects. This sense is essential for our everyday movements and activities, such as walking, sitting, and reaching for objects.

By focusing on these two senses in sensory therapy, individuals can improve their overall sense of balance and spatial awareness, which can have a positive impact on their daily lives.^[5]

Multi-sensory environments have been found to be highly effective in helping individuals overcome limitations related to behavioral issues, anxiety, pain, and other conditions. By creating a safe and controlled environment where a variety of stimuli are delivered to different senses, individuals can participate at their own pace and in a way that feels comfortable to them.

These environments can help individuals feel more in control of their surroundings, which can be especially important for those who struggle with anxiety or other mental health conditions. They can also help individuals reduce pain and discomfort by providing a distraction and a way to focus on something other than their physical symptoms.

By maximizing an individual’s potential to focus, feel in control, and make choices, multi-sensory environments can help reduce the obstacles and barriers that prevent them from enjoying life to the fullest. The results can be life-changing, improving not only the individual’s physical and mental health, but also their overall quality of life.

The L’Arche community in Halifax is an excellent example of the application of multi-sensory environments in a community setting. L’Arche is an international organization that creates communities where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live alongside caregivers, and Halifax is one of their locations.

This multi-sensory room creates an experience like flotation tanks or meditation by using bubble tubes, lights, music, aromatherapy and projections of night skies or forest walks.^[6]

The user in the above picture sitting on the comfortable chair which produces music that can be felt in his body. “It’s more comfortable … than this chair,” he says, indicating his wheelchair.

With some help a sling is slipped under him that allowed him to hoist himself over to that comfortable chair. Using buttons, he could launch themes that tie together the music, lights, and bubbles.

Apart from effects on the senses, these rooms are also designed in a way where a person can be and feel as independent as possible which is a big part in a person’s life with different abilities.

Use of 30-kilogram blanket that gives a calming “hug” to people in distress; dim lighting; soft music; interactive displays of soothing images; use of aquatic life, water are all calming elements mostly found in nature that helps the individuals to break from the negative thoughts and be themselves while they are in that environment.^[6]

Overall, the concept of Multi-Sensory Environments highlights the importance of considering the needs of the end-user when designing a space. By taking a more holistic approach to design, we can create spaces that are not only visually appealing, but also comfortable and accommodating for individuals with a range of abilities. The inclusion of multi-sensory environments, such as Snoezelen, in building design can have a significant impact on the mental and emotional well-being of building occupants. This is why concepts like Living Building Challenge, WELL Standard, and Biophilia are becoming increasingly popular in the building industry. By incorporating multi-sensory environments into building design, we can create spaces that promote health and well-being for all occupants. This can have a huge impact on the way we think about building design and may prove to be a game changer in the industry, creating spaces that not only look good but also feel good and promote well-being.

Bibliography:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoezelen

[2] History | Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Environments

[3] https://www.snoezelen.info/history/

[4] Image by macrovector</a> on Freepik

[5] https://www.snoezelen.info/the-senses/

[6] https://www.snoezelen.info/news/move-over-hygge-its-time-to-sniff-and-doze-in-a-snoezelen-room/

-Prakriti Shukla